Entry Requirements — TWAC Update

CORRECTION: TWAC pre-registration window expanded to 7 days before arrival (from the original 72 hours / 3 days). Change effective June 2026. Free, digital only — submit at twac.immigration.gov.tw. Applies to all foreign nationals without ARC, including visa-exempt US/UK/EU passport holders. No paper alternative.

Visa-exempt status unchanged: US, UK, EU, AU, CA — 90 days. No new visa categories or entry restrictions announced.

Visa-Free Critical: Thailand / Philippines / Brunei

Thailand, Philippines, Brunei 14-day visa-free expires July 31, 2026. No BOCA renewal announced as of Jul 6 — T-25 days. Program was extended Aug 1, 2025–Jul 31, 2026 (one-year trial). Historical pattern: renewed annually, announced ~1–4 weeks before expiry — absence at T-25 days is notable but not yet outside the historical window. From Aug 1 (absent renewal), these nationals revert to standard visa requirement. Separate Guanhong Project and Simplified Visa SEA group tourist program unaffected (extended through Dec 31, 2026). Monitor boca.gov.tw for announcement.

October 2026 RT Economy Prices — Major Hubs to TPE

Prices as of early Jul 2026. RT economy to Taoyuan (TPE).

LAX: ~$850–$1,050 (stable; EVA from $959)
SFO: ~$853–$1,100 (stable; Skyscanner floor $853)
SEA: ~$950–$1,200 (stable)
JFK: ~$1,160–$1,350 (slight upper-end firming from $1,300)
IAD: ~$1,100–$1,400 (lower floor narrowing slightly; EVA nonstop adding supply)
IAH: ~$950–$1,400 (lower floor — Expedia from $942; wide spread)
LHR: ~$780–$1,050 (stable)
AMS: ~$850–$1,150 (stable; 777-300ER swap Sep 1–Oct 24)
FRA: ~$850–$1,100 (mid-market stable; outlier fares exist below $850)

Overall: no dramatic movement vs. Jun 29 ranges. IAD lower bound compresses as EVA nonstop adds capacity. IAH floor improves. Booking window continues to advance — fares will firm as October approaches.

Route Updates

EVA Air IAD nonstop (launched Jun 26): Operational. First three flights fully booked; 90% of July seats sold at time of research. October schedule: 18 rotations (4×/wk Tue/Thu/Sat/Sun departures from IAD; Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat from TPE). No cancellations or schedule changes reported.

STARLUX Prague (TPE–PRG, launches Aug 1): Bookings open. Aug 1–Sep 30: 3×/wk (Tue/Thu/Sat). Oct 1–Oct 24: 4×/wk (Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat) — frequency increase covers most of the October travel window. JX101: TPE 00:10 → PRG 07:50. JX102: PRG 10:20 → TPE 05:10+1. Aircraft: A350-900 (4 First / 26 Business / 36 Premium Economy / 240 Economy).

China Airlines AMS/FRA fleet swap: Confirmed via AeroRoutes. A350-900 replaced by 777-300ER on Amsterdam (4×/wk) and Frankfurt (daily) routes Sep 1–Oct 24, 2026. 777-300ER is a capacity uplift vs. A350-900. A350 product resumes Oct 25.

Other October-active routes (unchanged): China Airlines PHX nonstop (since Dec 3, 2025) · STARLUX PHX (since Jan 15, 2026) · STARLUX Busan (since Jun 1, 2026) · China Airlines YYC (Oct promo from CAD 1,199 RT).

TPE Transit

NT$600 voucher program ("Enter Taiwan, Enjoy a Gift!"): valid through October 31, 2026, or until allocated funds exhausted. Foreign passport holders transiting TPE, clearing immigration, staying up to 24 hours. Pre-register online. MRT Airport Express: 35 min, NTD 150.

Weather — Sep–Nov

September: 28–32°C; typhoon season active through mid-October.
October: High 27°C, low 22°C; fewest rainy days of Q4; optimal travel window.
November: 20–25°C; NE monsoon increases rain on north and east coasts.

October Events

Oct 10: National Day (Double Ten — Saturday 2026). Oct 12 likely statutory makeup holiday.
Oct 11–20: Taichung Jazz Festival (20th anniversary; free; Civic Square; 12 countries, 22 performances) — dates per prior reporting; not confirmed on official taichung.gov.tw as of Jul 6.
Oct 12–23: Lowest demand / best pricing window.
Oct 24–26: Retrocession Day weekend + Taipei Hakka Yimin Festival — second demand spike.
Oct 29–31: Taiwan Pride — parade Oct 31 (Saturday), Ketagalan Boulevard, Taipei. Asia's largest Pride event; 200,000+ attendees typical.
Sep 1–Oct 31: Taipei Jazz Festival, Taipei Music Center, Nangang.
Oct–Nov, Miaoli/Hsinchu: Saisiyat paSta'ay biennial indigenous festival — 2026 active year.
Mid-Oct–mid-Nov: Taipingshan beech foliage, Yilan County.

Advisories

US State Dept: Level 1 — Exercise Normal Precautions (unchanged). UK FCDO: no warning against travel (unchanged). No EU travel advisory upgrade found.